A small booklet of 14 pages including articles and images.This booklet is one of a series featuring news items from Victorian Railways from the early 1960s until the late 1980s. During this period the corporate name changed to VLine and the newsletter continued to be published as VLine Newsletter. This issue from April 1961 features an article "Wodonga Links the States" which explains the complexity of operations of the railways at Wodonga and Albury due to the break of gauge in gauge between the two railway networks. The article was written to acknowledge the work carried out by the railway at both stations prior to the opening of the standard gauge track. Until this time Victorian trains operated on 4’ 8½” tracks whilst New South Wales were 5’ 3” wide. With an overall stall of 241, Wodonga railmen prepared, serviced and manned 14 "up" and 11 "down" trains as well as specials each day. Special migrant trains to Bonegilla were often a feature at this time as well as transport of heavy equipment to the Snowy Mountain Scheme.wodonga railways, victorian railways, victorian railways wodonga

A collection of replicas of survey maps acquired to build the Wodonga to Tallangatta Railway line. Each survey includes a diagram of a portion of the line showing survey measurements and details of the land which that portion of the line will run through. It also includes the name of the landowner from whom the necessary land was acquired.The first section of the Wodonga to Tallangatta line opened in 1889 and was further extended in 1891. It was a vital community link until the passenger service closed in September 1961. The last regular goods train on the line ran on 21st April 1978. These maps give detail of the surveying and building of the line.victorian railways, wodonga to tallangatta rail service

The Wodonga line and train station opened in November 1873 when the section of the line from Wangaratta was completed. The expansion of the railways to the northeast of Victoria occurred after the Victorian Government took over the railways in 1867 and the trains serviced large towns such as Seymour, Wangaratta and Wodonga, as well as smaller towns along the way. The first section of the Wodonga to Tallangatta line opened in 1889 and was further extended in 1891. It was a vital community link until the passenger service closed in September 1961 The last regular goods train on the line ran on 21st April 1978. The north- east train line to Wodonga remained a significant factor in the development of Wodonga as a rural city in the 20th century. Local significance due to the importance of the railways to Wodonga as a means of transport, communication and impact on business and commerce. State and national significance due to the role played by the railways in opening up the country for development.A bound volume of the Victorian Railways Time Table for 2nd May 1910 to 30th November 1910. Black with gold inscription. The binding is not original but was carried out to preserve the contents"Victorian Railways/Time Table/ 2nd May 1910/ 30th November 1910"victorian railways, wodonga, timetable, transport

The Fred Rochow Railways Collection incorporates photos related to the operation of the Wodonga Railway Station including different types of trains and railways staff C. 1930 – 1990. It was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Fred Rochow, a railwayman who spent many years based in Wodonga. He joined the Victorian Railways on 17th June l947 and retired in 1988. For some time, he was a member of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen and served a term as a member of the Trades Hall Council. He had an extensive knowledge of the struggles that took place to achieve better conditions for railway workers. Fred worked for many years as a fireman and then worked his way up the ranks to driver, experiencing many changes from the days of steam locomotives through to diesel trains, locomotives and even the modern XPT train. He worked throughout Victoria at different stages of his career, with his final working years focused on the northeast of Victoria and the Albury to Melbourne line. After his retirement, Fred continued to share his love of steam miniature trains with the community.This collection has local and statewide significance as it captures images of trains, locomotives and personnel who operated the railway services in Wodonga and throughout Northeast Victoria. The railways played a critical role in opening up Victoria and connecting Australia for trade, business, social communication and transport.Drivers Len Gregson and David Naldrett standing in the railyards. This photo was taken on Len's last trip at Albury on 29 October 1988.Back Row: Peter Raschke, IanChristensen, Jimmy Taylor, Neith (Ned) Ziebell, Martin McGrath, Peter Murnane, Simon Rigbey, Ron Birthisel, Mick Matthews, Colin Symes, John Landman. Front Row: Kevin Hammond, Rex McDonnell, Robin Heathcote, Mick Bergen, David Brown.fred rochow, trade union training, victorian railways wodonga

The Fred Rochow Railways Collection incorporates photos related to the operation of the Wodonga Railway Station including different types of trains and railways staff C. 1930 – 1990. It was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Fred Rochow, a railwayman who spent many years based in Wodonga. He joined the Victorian Railways on 17th June l947 and retired in 1988. For some time, he was a member of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen and served a term as a member of the Trades Hall Council. He had an extensive knowledge of the struggles that took place to achieve better conditions for railway workers. Fred worked for many years as a fireman and then worked his way up the ranks to driver, experiencing many changes from the days of steam locomotives through to diesel trains, locomotives and even the modern XPT train. He worked throughout Victoria at different stages of his career, with his final working years focused on the northeast of Victoria and the Albury to Melbourne line. After his retirement, Fred continued to share his love of steam miniature trains with the community.This collection has local and statewide significance as it captures images of trains, locomotives and personnel who operated the railway services in Wodonga and throughout Northeast Victoria. The railways played a critical role in opening up Victoria and connecting Australia for trade, business, social communication and transport.Engine Instructor Geoff Williams walking beside Locomotive 1329 to lift the hand brakes. The T class were a class of diesel locomotives built by Clyde Engineering, Granville, NSW for the Victorian Railways between 1955 and 1968. Locomotive T329 was part of the first order completed and entered service in June 1956. At that time, they became the most numerous diesel loco in Victoria. In 1984, the 13 first series T class locomotives were sent back to Clyde Engineering Plant at Somerton in Victoria for a complete rebuild after which they became the P class numbered P11 to P23. This included locomotive T329 which became Locomotive P12. The P Class have proven to be a reliable and dependable class, seeing service across the state in both passenger and freight duties. They often operated in push-pull mode, with a locomotive at each end of the train. The P class locomotives ceased being used for regular passenger operations in November 2012. Although locomotive P12 (T329) is primarily in storage it is still operational and can be hired for special events and as recently as 2017 was also used as an infrastructure maintenance train.At top of train between headlights "T329" In centre Victoria Railways logo "VR"fred rochow, victorian railways wodonga, locomotive 1329

The Fred Rochow Railways Collection incorporates photos related to the operation of the Wodonga Railway Station including different types of trains and railways staff C. 1930 – 1990. It was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Fred Rochow, a railwayman who spent many years based in Wodonga. He joined the Victorian Railways on 17th June l947 and retired in 1988. For some time, he was a member of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen and served a term as a member of the Trades Hall Council. He had an extensive knowledge of the struggles that took place to achieve better conditions for railway workers. Fred worked for many years as a fireman and then worked his way up the ranks to driver, experiencing many changes from the days of steam locomotives through to diesel trains, locomotives and even the modern XPT train. He worked throughout Victoria at different stages of his career, with his final working years focused on the northeast of Victoria and the Albury to Melbourne line. After his retirement, Fred continued to share his love of steam miniature trains with the community.This collection has local and statewide significance as it captures images of trains, locomotives and personnel who operated the railway services in Wodonga and throughout Northeast Victoria. The railways played a critical role in opening up Victoria and connecting Australia for trade, business, social communication and transport.Fireman Ian Sandford on steps of Locomotive T329. He is moving into position to apply the hand brakes. The T class were a class of diesel locomotives built by Clyde Engineering, Granville, NSW for the Victorian Railways between 1955 and 1968. Locomotive T329 was part of the first order completed and entered service in June 1956. At that time, they became the most numerous diesel loco in Victoria. In 1984, the 13 first series T class locomotives were sent back to Clyde Engineering Plant at Somerton in Victoria for a complete rebuild after which they became the P class numbered P11 to P23. This included locomotive T329 which became Locomotive P12. The P Class have proven to be a reliable and dependable class, seeing service across the state in both passenger and freight duties. They often operated in push-pull mode, with a locomotive at each end of the train. The P class locomotives ceased being used for regular passenger operations in November 2012. Although locomotive P12 (T329) is primarily in storage it is still operational and can be hired for special events and as recently as 2017 was also used as an infrastructure maintenance train.At top of train between headlights "T329" In centre Victoria Railways logo "VR"fred rochow, victorian railways wodonga, locomotive 1329

The Fred Rochow Railways Collection incorporates photos related to the operation of the Wodonga Railway Station including different types of trains and railways staff C. 1930 – 1990. It was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Fred Rochow, a railwayman who spent many years based in Wodonga. He joined the Victorian Railways on 17th June l947 and retired in 1988. For some time, he was a member of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen and served a term as a member of the Trades Hall Council. He had an extensive knowledge of the struggles that took place to achieve better conditions for railway workers. Fred worked for many years as a fireman and then worked his way up the ranks to driver, experiencing many changes from the days of steam locomotives through to diesel trains, locomotives and even the modern XPT train. He worked throughout Victoria at different stages of his career, with his final working years focused on the northeast of Victoria and the Albury to Melbourne line. After his retirement, Fred continued to share his love of steam miniature trains with the community.This collection has local and statewide significance as it captures images of trains, locomotives and personnel who operated the railway services in Wodonga and throughout Northeast Victoria. The railways played a critical role in opening up Victoria and connecting Australia for trade, business, social communication and transport.Tom Symonds and Mick Bergin in Wodongafred rochow, victorian railways wodonga, wodonga railway employees

The Fred Rochow Railways Collection incorporates photos related to the operation of the Wodonga Railway Station including different types of trains and railways staff C. 1930 – 1990. It was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Fred Rochow, a railwayman who spent many years based in Wodonga. He joined the Victorian Railways on 17th June l947 and retired in 1988. For some time, he was a member of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen and served a term as a member of the Trades Hall Council. He had an extensive knowledge of the struggles that took place to achieve better conditions for railway workers. Fred worked for many years as a fireman and then worked his way up the ranks to driver, experiencing many changes from the days of steam locomotives through to diesel trains, locomotives and even the modern XPT train. He worked throughout Victoria at different stages of his career, with his final working years focused on the northeast of Victoria and the Albury to Melbourne line. After his retirement, Fred continued to share his love of steam miniature trains with the community.This collection has local and statewide significance as it captures images of trains, locomotives and personnel who operated the railway services in Wodonga and throughout Northeast Victoria. The railways played a critical role in opening up Victoria and connecting Australia for trade, business, social communication and transport.A group of railway men in conversation at gathering in Wodonga. Keith Hill, John Wise, Hugh Fraser, Bob Cadman, Wal Rileyfred rochow, victorian railways wodonga, railway employees wodonga

The Fred Rochow Railways Collection incorporates photos related to the operation of the Wodonga Railway Station including different types of trains and railways staff C. 1930 – 1990. It was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Fred Rochow, a railwayman who spent many years based in Wodonga. He joined the Victorian Railways on 17th June l947 and retired in 1988. For some time, he was a member of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen and served a term as a member of the Trades Hall Council. He had an extensive knowledge of the struggles that took place to achieve better conditions for railway workers. Fred worked for many years as a fireman and then worked his way up the ranks to driver, experiencing many changes from the days of steam locomotives through to diesel trains, locomotives and even the modern XPT train. He worked throughout Victoria at different stages of his career, with his final working years focused on the northeast of Victoria and the Albury to Melbourne line. After his retirement, Fred continued to share his love of steam miniature trains with the community The first railway union in the world was created in Melbourne in 1861 when twenty locomotive drivers banded together to form the Locomotive Engine Drivers Association of Victoria. The forerunner to the A.F.U.L.E., the Association continues today and is the oldest continuous railway union in the world. A.R.U. - The Australian Railways Union formed in September 1920 with the amalgamation of the Queensland Railways Union, the New South Wales Amalgamated Railway and Tramway Service Association, the Victorian Railway Union, the Railway and Tramway Employees Association of South Australia and the Tasmanian Railway Union. It was the first Australian all-grades organisation of railway workers and was federally registered on 8 February 1921. In 1993 the ARU merged with other unions to form the Rail Tram & Bus Industry Union.This collection has local and statewide significance as it captures images of trains, locomotives and personnel who operated the railway services in Wodonga and throughout Northeast Victoria. The railways played a critical role in opening up Victoria and connecting Australia for trade, business, social communication and transport.A group 4 men in Wodonga. Possibly at branch union meeting.Left to right: Driver R. Heathcote AFULE Branch Secretary; Guard J. Young, ARU Branch Secretary; Driver S. Withers; P. Murnane.fred rochow, victorian railways wodonga, railway employees wodonga, railway trade unions

The Fred Rochow Railways Collection incorporates photos related to the operation of the Wodonga Railway Station including different types of trains and railways staff C. 1930 – 1990. It was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Fred Rochow, a railwayman who spent many years based in Wodonga. He joined the Victorian Railways on 17th June l947 and retired in 1988. For some time, he was a member of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen and served a term as a member of the Trades Hall Council. He had an extensive knowledge of the struggles that took place to achieve better conditions for railway workers. Fred worked for many years as a fireman and then worked his way up the ranks to driver, experiencing many changes from the days of steam locomotives through to diesel trains, locomotives and even the modern XPT train. He worked throughout Victoria at different stages of his career, with his final working years focused on the northeast of Victoria and the Albury to Melbourne line. After his retirement, Fred continued to share his love of steam miniature trains with the community.This collection has local and statewide significance as it captures images of trains, locomotives and personnel who operated the railway services in Wodonga and throughout Northeast Victoria. The railways played a critical role in opening up Victoria and connecting Australia for trade, business, social communication and transport.Employees' car park at Wodonga Railway Yards with train tracks in the foreground. The railway yards and the railway tracks ran through the middle of Wodonga from its opening on 21 November 1873 until it was closed on 9 November 2008. On 25 June 2011 a new station opened on the northern edge of the town.fred rochow, victorian railways wodonga, railway employees wodonga

The Fred Rochow Railways Collection incorporates photos related to the operation of the Wodonga Railway Station including different types of trains and railways staff C. 1930 – 1990. It was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Fred Rochow, a railwayman who spent many years based in Wodonga. He joined the Victorian Railways on 17th June l947 and retired in 1988. For some time, he was a member of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen and served a term as a member of the Trades Hall Council. He had an extensive knowledge of the struggles that took place to achieve better conditions for railway workers. Fred worked for many years as a fireman and then worked his way up the ranks to driver, experiencing many changes from the days of steam locomotives through to diesel trains, locomotives and even the modern XPT train. He worked throughout Victoria at different stages of his career, with his final working years focused on the northeast of Victoria and the Albury to Melbourne line. After his retirement, Fred continued to share his love of steam miniature trains with the community. This locomotive, the Y166, was one of 25 general purpose diesel-electric locomotives built by Clyde Engineering, Granville NSW for the Victorian Railways between 1963 and 1968. Although built to dieselise Victoria's shunting operations and replace steam locomotives on branch line services, they were also used on mainline goods and passenger services. After closure of many branch lines across the state and the end of short pick-up goods trains, use of the class dropped. The Y166 entered service on 5 June 1968. It was withdrawn from service in November 1990 and eventually scrapped in 1991.This collection has local and statewide significance as it captures images of trains, locomotives and personnel who operated the railway services in Wodonga and throughout Northeast Victoria. The railways played a critical role in opening up Victoria and connecting Australia for trade, business, social communication and transport.Shunter Theo Edwards, Fireman Steve Ryan and Leading Shunter Lorry Beach standing on the front of a diesel pilot train, Y166. This was the last 8.30 am pilot train through Wodonga before the old Wodonga stations was closed and the railway line diverted away from the middle of Wodonga. In June 2011 a new station was opened on the northern edge of the town. On side of train "Y166"fred rochow, victorian railways wodonga, railway employees wodonga, y class diesel locomotives

The Fred Rochow Railways Collection incorporates photos related to the operation of the Wodonga Railway Station including different types of trains and railways staff C. 1930 – 1990. It was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Fred Rochow, a railwayman who spent many years based in Wodonga. He joined the Victorian Railways on 17th June l947 and retired in 1988. For some time, he was a member of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen and served a term as a member of the Trades Hall Council. He had an extensive knowledge of the struggles that took place to achieve better conditions for railway workers. Fred worked for many years as a fireman and then worked his way up the ranks to driver, experiencing many changes from the days of steam locomotives through to diesel trains, locomotives and even the modern XPT train. He worked throughout Victoria at different stages of his career, with his final working years focused on the northeast of Victoria and the Albury to Melbourne line. After his retirement, Fred continued to share his love of steam miniature trains with the community.This collection has local and statewide significance as it captures images of trains, locomotives and personnel who operated the railway services in Wodonga and throughout Northeast Victoria. The railways played a critical role in opening up Victoria and connecting Australia for trade, business, social communication and transport.A locomotive in the yards at Wodonga Stationfred rochow, victorian railways wodonga

The Fred Rochow Railways Collection incorporates photos related to the operation of the Wodonga Railway Station including different types of trains and railways staff C. 1930 – 1990. It was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Fred Rochow, a railwayman who spent many years based in Wodonga. He joined the Victorian Railways on 17th June l947 and retired in 1988. For some time, he was a member of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen and served a term as a member of the Trades Hall Council. He had an extensive knowledge of the struggles that took place to achieve better conditions for railway workers. Fred worked for many years as a fireman and then worked his way up the ranks to driver, experiencing many changes from the days of steam locomotives through to diesel trains, locomotives and even the modern XPT train. He worked throughout Victoria at different stages of his career, with his final working years focused on the northeast of Victoria and the Albury to Melbourne line. After his retirement, Fred continued to share his love of steam miniature trains with the community The first railway union in the world was created in Melbourne in 1861 when twenty locomotive drivers banded together to form the Locomotive Engine Drivers Association of Victoria. The forerunner to the A.F.U.L.E., the Association continues today and is the oldest continuous railway union in the world.This collection has local and statewide significance as it captures images of trains, locomotives and personnel who operated the railway services in Wodonga and throughout Northeast Victoria. The railways played a critical role in opening up Victoria and connecting Australia for trade, business, social communication and transport.A group members at a branch meeting of the A.F.U.L.E in Wodonga.Left to right: Mick Bergin, Mick Seymour, Mick O’Brien, Les Hallawell, John Wortman, John Hickey, Fred Rochow, Kevin Hammond, Ray Newton, Paul Hines, Peter Murnane, Paul Byrne, Keith Porter, Benny Hill, Mick Mathews, Keith Moore.fred rochow, victorian railways wodonga, railway employees wodonga, railway trade unions, australian federated union of locomotive enginemen

The leather satchel with printed information and equipment including instruction manuals, report sheets, rubber stamps and books was issued to Barry Ryan when he started working as a guard for Victorian Railways in Wodonga in 1972. It was in use until he became a locomotive train driver in 1987, when guards no longer worked on the trains.The leather satchel has local significance as it was used by a guard on the Victorian Railways in Wodonga and the railway was an important factor in the development of Wodonga. It also has state significance as part of the Victorian railways equipment for train guards, and is representative given that it's a complete kit with the green signal flag, lamp and the instruction manuals, report sheets, rubber stamps and books in the satchel.Brown leather Victorian Railways guard's satchel, with a leather handle and shoulder strap. There is a rolled up green signal flag attached behind the handle on the top and a dark blue metal lamp attached to the front of the satchel. The lamp has a green filter in front of the bulb, so it would emit green light. The raised letters "V.R." are located on the front and top surfaces of the blue metal lamp, and the number "2749" is engraved on the back surface. The name "B. RYAN" is engraved in the front surface of the lamp. The number "2544' is stamped into a brass plate on the front of the satchel. There is a semi-circular red painted iron disk hinged to the front of leather satchel with a cut out area in the centre to show the number on the brass plate. The lamp is attached to lower rim of the semi-circular red painted iron disk. Inside the leather satchel there are instruction manuals, report sheets, rubber stamps and books relating to the work as a guard on the Victorian railways, as the satchel was used by the donor Barry Ryan when he started working as a guard for Victorian Railways in Wodonga in 1972. "V.R." in raised letters on the front and top surfaces of the metal torch. "B. RYAN" engraved in the front surface of the torch. "2749" engraved into the back surface of the metal torch. "2544" stamped into the surface of the brass plate on the front of the leather satchel. victorian railways, v.r., victorian trains, trains, train guards, leather satchel, satchel, wodonga

Cudgewa Line -The Cudgewa railway line opened in stages between 1889 and 1921. The first section from Wodonga to Huon opened on 10 September 1889. It was extended to Bolga on 18 July 1890, Tallangatta on 24 July 1891 and then to Shelley on 13 June 1916. Shelley was the highest station in Victoria. It extended further on to Beetomba on 10 April 1919 and finally reached Cudgewa on 5 May 1921. The line had 1 in 30 grades and trestle bridges that have been heritage listed. In 1919, the line was used to carry materials for the construction of Hume Weir, and three years later a spur line connecting Ebden to the weir was opened. In the 1960s, Cudgewa became the railhead of materials for the Snowy Mountains Scheme. The last passenger service from Wodonga to Tallangatta ran on 30 September 1961. The turntable and passenger platform at Cudgewa were abolished in 1976. These stamps were used by Joh Murray who for many years worked with Victorian Railways based at Wodonga.A leather pouch with belt and lock. It bears a metal name tag inscribed with name of railway station. The pouch contains 3 station stamps, a date stamp and 2 carriage keys.On pouch WODONGA On stamps: BONEGILLA 1470/ EBDEN 1471/ BANDOLIER 1473cudgewa rail line, victorian railways, closed victorian railways, railway stamps

The Fred Rochow Railways Collection incorporates photos related to the operation of the Wodonga Railway Station including different types of trains and railways staff C. 1930 – 1990. It was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Fred Rochow, a railwayman who spent many years based in Wodonga. He joined the Victorian Railways on 17th June l947 and retired in 1988. For some time, he was a member of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen and served a term as a member of the Trades Hall Council. He had an extensive knowledge of the struggles that took place to achieve better conditions for railway workers. Fred worked for many years as a fireman and then worked his way up the ranks to driver, experiencing many changes from the days of steam locomotives through to diesel trains, locomotives and even the modern XPT train. He worked throughout Victoria at different stages of his career, with his final working years focused on the northeast of Victoria and the Albury to Melbourne line. After his retirement, Fred continued to share his love of steam miniature trains with the community.This collection has local and statewide significance as it captures images of trains, locomotives and personnel who operated the railway services in Wodonga and throughout Northeast Victoria. The railways played a critical role in opening up Victoria and connecting Australia for trade, business, social communication and transport.Left to right: Eddie Moss, Max Church, Bill Baldock, Claude Clancy, Norm Davey, Alex Reid, Jack O’Donnell, Vin Snow. Claude Clancy was born on 27 March 1895 and started cleaning with Victorian Railways on 16 January 1920. He passed his Driver qualification on 30 December 1936. Alex Reid was born on 4 August 1891. He joined the Victorian Railways at Port Melbourne on 10 December 1907. Alex started cleaning at North Melbourne on 4 October 1910. Alex gained his Driver qualification on 18 December 1919. Jack O’Donnell was born on 3 May 1889 and began working with Victorian Railways on 1 June 1911. He started cleaning on 13 January 1912. He gained his Driver qualification on 19 November 1920. Vin Snow started his Victorian Railways career at Wodonga in September 1939. He passed his Driver qualifications in 1949. Vin retired in 1978.railways wodonga, fred rochow, wodonga railwaymen, claude clancy, alex reid, vin snow, jack o’donnell

Alex Reid was born in 1891 and began work on the Victorian Railways in 1907. He enlisted with the A.I.F in 1915. He served in Egypt and the Suez Canal but was discharged on medical grounds having contracted typhoid and dysentery. In 1917 he re-enlisted in the Anzac Light Horse. On his return to England, he survived the torpedoing of HMAT Ballarat and then served in France. On discharge from the army, Alex returned to the Victorian Railways and transferred to Wodonga. He was employed driving the “Spirit of Progress” and remained as “Driver in Charge” until his retirement in 1956. Alex was awarded the MBE in 1951 and the OBE in 1963 for his tireless efforts on behalf of Returned Servicemen and their families. He continued to work as a welfare officer for the RSL. As well as continued service to the RSL, Alex served as a member of the Wodonga High School advisory committee for 35 years and sat on the bench in the Wodonga Court for 15 years in his capacity as Justice of the Peace. Alexander Frederick Reid O.B.E died in Wodonga on 7 January 1979.This image represents a farewell work function for an outstanding member of the Wodonga community.A large black and white framed photo of a group of men attending a send off function in Wodonga in 1956.Alex Reid send off 1955 Back Row L to R Stan Warnock, F. Fulford, W. McEachern, S. Egan, P. Doolan, K. Moore, A. Smyth, M. Seymour, W. McAnanly, M. Flanagan, L. Gregson, L. Snow, H. Fraser, R. Cooper, W. Squires Second Back Row L to R K. Williams, W. Toomey, K. Coleman, F. Thistleton, K. Ziebell, P. Gough (S.M), C. Hughes, F. Dempsey, C. Craig, W. Baldock, J. Robinson, W. Odgers, C. Whitehead, G. Taylor, J. Muir, P. McDonald, W. Riley, A. Thompson, K. Robinson, B. Strachan, W. Walsh, T. Willoughby Seated second Row L to R J. Schmidt, A. Wagner, J. O’Donnell, J. Dawe, F. Leitch, J. Anderson, T. Brown, A. Elvish, F. Boadle, A. Reid, J. Draper (Police). N. Davey, F. Caine (P), A. Padgett, L. Burroughs (P), B. Saul, F. Weatherall, H. Binder, D. Sutton, T. Cosgriff, C. Clancy, ? , M. Nowadice, J. Karugan Front Row Seated L to R D. Shannon, S. Cuper, L. Cheesley. C. Williams, L. Madgeric, V. Snow. ?, A. Beach, L. Cross, C. McNamara, ? , Don Shepard.alexander frederick reid, eminent wodonga residents, ww1 veterans wodonga, hmat ballarat

Railways began in the 1850s and were privately owned and operated. Later they were taken over by the Victorian Government reaching a peak in the early 1940s.Steam trains were followed by electric trains with both running after the war in 1945.Bright was the closest station to the Kiewa Valley but road transport was used more often as the Kiewa Valley Highway was improved with the construction of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. To travel to Melbourne or Sydney by train residents went via Wodonga/Albury where they also did their shopping.Plastic on parchment with detailed railway routes (in green) across Victoria including each district's 'Road Foremen' and 'Depots'. There is a length of flat wood attached by 10 tacks across the top of the mapvictorian railways 1945, trains, transport

Len and Merle Pilkington came to Wodonga from Wonthaggi in 1946. Len had been an employee on the Victorian railways. They both gained employment with J. Mann & Son of Wodonga where Len became manager of the Shoe Department. When the Sumsion’s shoe shop became available Len and Merle bought it in partnership with Ernie Mann. The partnership dissolved a year later and Len and Merle continued as Pilkington’s Shoes. In the 1950s, the shoe repair shop belonging to Nick Hauser was up for sale and Len and Merle extended their business. In the mid-1950s they were joined by their son Barry who continued to work there in a variety of roles including shoe repairer, salesman and accountant. Over the life of Pilkington’s Shoes they operated from two different locations in High Street, Wodonga. At one stage the business provided a living for six staff, but the impact of the recession of 1982 – 83, competition from chain store discount prices and a reduced demand for high quality shoes took their toll on the business and Barry Pilkington closed his doors in 1993 after several decades serving the Wodonga community. This Calendar promoted “Paddle” shoes. Paddle Bros. Shoes Pty. Ltd. was started by Joe Paddle and his seven sons, from a small shed in Carlton. Paddle then moved to a factory in Fitzroy and later in Mornington and Ballarat. In 1982 Paddle Bros. Shoes Pty. Ltd. was purchased by Rivers (Australia) Pty. Ltd. These images and calendar are significant because they document a long standing business in Wodonga.A coloured Calendar from Pilkington's Shoe Store Wodonga advertising Paddle Shoes. It is accompanied by some black and white images of the owners and premises.Paddle Games Calendar With compliments from Pilkingtons Shoes The Friendly Footwear Store 106 High St., Wodonga Telephone: 560 Paddle for longer shoe wear - proper foot care.pilkingtons, wodonga businesses, pilkingtons shoes

The arrival of the railway from Melbourne to Wodonga was celebrated on 21st November 1873. The railway line between Melbourne and Wodonga was constructed in three sections. The first section from Essendon to Seymour was fifty-six miles. It was constructed by Messrs. O'Grady, Leggatt and Noonan at a cost of £305,558. The second section from Seymour to Benalla was sixty miles under contract to Messrs. Styles, Murray and Co. for £314,994. The final section of sixty six miles to Wodonga was constructed by Messrs. Cain, Dalrymple and Holton for £350,100. The Illustrated Australian News for Home Readers 4 December 1873 reported extensively on the event. The Victorian Government was determined to celebrate the event with a banquet, to which twelve hundred guests were invited. Four special trains had departed Melbourne to bring dignitaries to Wodonga. The Governor Sir George Bowen, Lady Bowen and, two Misses Bowen, were among the guests. Sir George Bowen proposed a toast to the “Prosperity to the North-eastern railway”. The banquet was held in marquees erected for the event, although the facilities struggled to cater adequately for the more than 5,000 people who arrived to celebrate. The estimated population of Wodonga was 500 only people. That evening a ball was held in the goods' shed, which was handsomely decorated with flags, evergreens and flowers. About five hundred guests were present. It would be another decade before New South Wales completed the line from Sydney to Albury and a connecting rail bridge was built over the Murray River.This item is significant because it documents the festivities celebrating the arrival of the railway line in Wodonga.A colourised version of a newspaper article documenting the celebrations for the arrival of the North Eastern Railway to Wodonga. It depicts crowds of people congregated near the railway line area. Large tents have been erected to house visitors and special activities. The railway goods shed can be seen in the background and a steam locomotive is on the track. The image was accompanied by a lengthy article which detailed the development of the railway line.northeast railway line, wodonga transport

This image appeared in the Australasian Sketcher on 2nd July 1883. This issue had several illustrations relating to the meeting of the railways at Albury and Wodonga. The item was accompanied by the following text:- Wodonga consists of two principal streets lying parallel to each other seemingly desirous of outstripping the other in length and the straggling character of its buildings. After carrying on this contest for the length of three quarters of High Street, of which we give a view, bears off the palm. Between the township and Albury there is a distance of three miles, which in summer has the reputation of being the dustiest three miles in Australia. This distance is traversed by omnibuses and cabs, which ply between the two towns, and until the junction of the railways did a good business in carrying all travellers from station to station. The dwellers in Wodonga, who are Victorians to the backbone, complain severely of the disadvantages under which they labour, owing to the border duties, in comparison with their more fortunate neighbours in Albury, but though they grumble they have no intention of giving in, and confidently look forward to the brighter days which they say are in store for Wodonga. In the lower right hand corner are the initials J. R. A. These are the initials of Julian Rossi Ashton (1851-1942). Ashton was born in England and emigrated to Melbourne in 1878 to work as an artist for the Illustrated Australian News. In 1881 he worked at the Australasian Sketcher and in 1883 moved to Sydney to work on the Picturesque Atlas of Australasia and the Bulletin. He became an influential patron and supporter of Australian Art through his roles as trustee of the National Art Gallery of New South Wales. He was awarded the Society of Artists’ medal for distinguished services to Australian art in 1924, appointed as Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1930, and won the Sydney Sesquicentennial Prize for a watercolour in 1938. Ashton dominated artistic circles in Sydney for over 50 years. He established his own Art School in Sydney and became a teacher and mentor to many now prominent Australian artists. Julian Rossi Ashton died on 27th April 1942 This item is significant because it depicts an early view of Wodonga and was created by a future prominent artist and influential patron and supporter of Australian Art .A print from a Wood Engraving which was published in the Australasian Sketcher 1883. It features a street scene in Wodonga.wodonga town 1883, early wodonga

George Padgett was born into a railway family in Numurkah, Victoria on 3 February 1890. He began working for the Victorian Railways as a junior clerk in Maryborough and gained his Driver’s ticket in 1914 at North Melbourne. He was based at Ararat for some time, then transferred to Dimboola in 1926. In 1927 George drove the pilot train ahead of the Royal Train between Ballarat and the South Australian border. In November 1937 when the “Spirit of Progress” made its first run from Melbourne to Albury, George was moved to Wodonga. From the train's first return trip he took over the driving. During his career, he made an average of 92 round trips a year and this article reports that he made his 1,100th round trip in 1948. By the time of George’s retirement he had travelled over 500,000 miles at the wheel of the “Spirit”. George made his last trip on the “Spirit of Progress” on 4 February 1955 prior to his retirement. He died in Wodonga on 19 February 1967. These articles are significant because they give an account of the long-serving career of a locomotive driver who lived in Wodonga.Two newspaper articles written about George Padgett, long term driver of the Spirit of Progress Article 1 - "Spirit" Driver Plays trains too" was published in The Sun News-Pictorial Sat 28 Aug 1948 on Page 8 Article 2 - "THE ENGINE-DRIVER: MR PADGETT'S engine" was published in the Melbourne Herald Saturday 24 July 1948 on page 7george padgett, "spirit of progress"

Our Collection includes several photographs signed BONSEMA WODONGA or sometimes simply TBW. Thomas Peter John Bonsema was born in Wodonga in 1876 to Peter John Bonsema and Mary Ann nee Nash. His name first appears on the Electoral Roll for Wodonga in 1909 and on the Electoral Roll in 1912 he is listed as a photographer. His photographs capture many scenes and events around Wodonga and surrounding areas. Thomas Bonsema married Minna Louisa Jones in 1912. By 1914 he had moved to Chiltern, Victoria where he established Bonsema’s Photographic Studio. From this time onward many of his works bore the signature “BONSEMA CHILTERN”. As well as continuing to photograph landscapes and important buildings, Mr Bonsema was often the official photographer at school and community celebrations. He also sold many framed photographs and postcards from his premises at 68 -70 Conness Street, Chiltern. By 1943 Thomas John Bonsema had relocated to New South Wales and died in Beecroft, NSW on 14th July 1944. Some of his photographs are held in the Victorian State Library and Mitchell Library Sydney Collections.This image is significant because it is the work of a recognised photographer Thomas Bonsema who was born in Wodonga in 1876.A black and white image of Wodonga Railway Station including the platform and goods shed.At bottom of the image:- Railway Station Wodonga Bonsema Wodongabonsema photography, railway station wodonga, thomas peter john bonsema

Our Collection includes several photographs signed BONSEMA WODONGA or sometimes simply TBW. Thomas Peter John Bonsema was born in Wodonga in 1876 to Peter John Bonsema and Mary Ann nee Nash. His name first appears on the Electoral Roll for Wodonga in 1909 and on the Electoral Roll in 1912 he is listed as a photographer. His photographs capture many scenes and events around Wodonga and surrounding areas. Thomas Bonsema married Minna Louisa Jones in 1912. By 1914 he had moved to Chiltern, Victoria where he established Bonsema’s Photographic Studio. From this time onward many of his works bore the signature “BONSEMA CHILTERN”. As well as continuing to photograph landscapes and important buildings, Mr Bonsema was often the official photographer at school and community celebrations. He also sold many framed photographs and postcards from his premises at 68 -70 Conness Street, Chiltern. By 1943 Thomas John Bonsema had relocated to New South Wales and died in Beecroft, NSW on 14th July 1944. Some of his photographs are held in the Victorian State Library and Mitchell Library Sydney Collections.This image is significant because it is the work of a recognised photographer Thomas Bonsema who was born in Wodonga in 1876.A black and white image of featuring passengers waiting on the Wodonga Station PlatformAt bottom of the image:- Railway Station Wodonga Bonsema Wodongabonsema photography, railway station wodonga, thomas peter john bonsema

Our Collection includes several photographs signed BONSEMA WODONGA or sometimes simply TBW. Thomas Peter John Bonsema was born in Wodonga in 1876 to Peter John Bonsema and Mary Ann nee Nash. His name first appears on the Electoral Roll for Wodonga in 1909 and on the Electoral Roll in 1912 he is listed as a photographer. His photographs capture many scenes and events around Wodonga and surrounding areas. Thomas Bonsema married Minna Louisa Jones in 1912. By 1914 he had moved to Chiltern, Victoria where he established Bonsema’s Photographic Studio. From this time onward many of his works bore the signature “BONSEMA CHILTERN”. As well as continuing to photograph landscapes and important buildings, Mr Bonsema was often the official photographer at school and community celebrations. He also sold many framed photographs and postcards from his premises at 68 -70 Conness Street, Chiltern. By 1943 Thomas John Bonsema had relocated to New South Wales and died in Beecroft, NSW on 14th July 1944. Some of his photographs are held in the Victorian State Library and Mitchell Library Sydney Collections.These images are significant because they are the work of a recognised photographer Thomas Bonsema who was born in Wodonga in 1876. The railway was a critical element in the development of Wodonga.A black and white image showing a train approaching the Wodonga Railway Station from Albury. horse and buggy are waiting at the gates. Moloney’s house is located left of centre. RAILWAY CROSSING WODONGA BONSEMA WODONGAbonsema photography, thomas peter john bonsema, railways wodonga

The "Spirit of Progress' was constructed at the Railway Workshops, Newport, Victoria, and placed into service between Melbourne and Albury on 23rd November, 1937. It was the first completely streamlined, airconditioned, all steel train in the Southern Hemisphere. It travelled non-stop daily in both directions between Melbourne and Albury. On its daily run a speed of one mile a minute was averaged for much of the 1,904 mile journey. Eighty m.p.h. was exceeded in tests, but in normal running a 70 m.p.h. restriction was imposed. The average load of the "Spirit of Progress" was 499 tons, and it could carry 240 first-class and 192 second-class passengers. A luxurious dining car was a feature of the “Spirit of Progress” with Queensland beech walls and leather upholstered seats. It had a well-equipped kitchen with walls of stainless steel, a slow combustion coke-burning range and a modern air circulation system. The "Spirit of Progress" was hauled by one of the four giant "S" class steam locomotives. Each was named after a man famous in Australian History: Matthew Flinders, Edward Henty, Sir Thomas Mitchell and C.J. Latrobe. After World War II the locomotives were converted to oil burners and were hauled by “S” class diesel-electric locomotives. In a normal year, the "Spirit of Progress" travelled about 146, 000 miles and carried over 300,000 passengers, while approximately 126,000 meals and 45, 000 serves of light refreshments would be provided in the dining car. The Spirit of Progress ran for the last time on 2nd August 1986.This item is significant because it provides a description and information about an important locomotive which served the Wodonga DistrictA small leaflet of six pages plus cover outlining information about the Spirit of Progress. The cover features a picture of the Spirit of Progress. Printed on buff coloured paper in black ink.SPIRIT OF PROGRESS"spirit of progress", victorian railways, locomotives -- victoria -- history

Samuel Skelton Parker was a native of Ballymena in the County of Antrim, Ireland and came to Melbourne, Australia in 1854. He was engaged for two years as a storeman. After mining in the Ovens district for five years he next became overseer on a station in New South Wales. He was married to Bridget Cusack in 1865 and they had a family of 4 sons and a daughter. After returning to Victoria Samuel Skelton Parker started a butchering business at Barnawartha and in 1881 he combined it with a bakery. This was the first business established in Barnawartha. Samuel had several properties in the township as well as his business premises and private residence. His horse drawn butchers cart made a run to Wodonga three days a week supplying the wayside pubs and Railway Gate House owners. Bread was sold for five loaves for one shilling, meat was two pennies per pound. In 1890 Skelton decided to give up butchering and baking and moved to Wodonga. He bought a 'Bush Block' of 150 acres on Fergusons Lane, now Parkers Road. Skelton called the property 'Park Hall' after his home in Ireland. On this new property Skelton raised sheep and he also sold chaff around the district. When Skelton died on 14 October 1897 the farm was split up with two sons Sam and Jack continuing the running of the farm, whilst the other two sons William and James joined the Victorian railways. Samuel and Jack continued to successfully manage the farm until 1974 when the Albury Wodonga Development Corporation acquired the land for the planned development of the region. In 2026 this is the location of Park Hall Retirement Village and the Wodonga Golf Club are situated on Parkers Road.This image is significant because it records one of the earliest businesses established in Barnawartha, Victoria.Two black and white images of Samuel Parker's business in Barnawartha, Northeast Victoria.parker family wodonga, early wodonga settlers, barnawartha, samuel skelton parker

The Albury Railway Station was opened on February 26 1882. It was the first large transit stop to be built on the border of Victoria and New South Wales. The two states still used different gauge train tracks, so the longest undercover platform in the southern hemisphere at the time was built at Albury, to allow passengers to quickly transition between lines. A new covered platform and new goods shed were added in 1884. Our Collection includes several photographs signed BONSEMA WODONGA or sometimes simply TBW. Later images taken in Chiltern were signed Bonsema Chiltern or TBC. Thomas Peter John Bonsema was born in Wodonga in 1876 to Peter John Bonsema and Mary Ann nee Nash. His name first appears on the Electoral Roll for Wodonga in 1909 and on the Electoral Roll in 1912 he is listed as a photographer. His photographs capture many scenes and events around Wodonga and surrounding areas. Thomas Bonsema married Minna Louisa Jones in 1912. By 1914 he had moved to Chiltern, Victoria where he established Bonsema’s Photographic Studio. From this time onward many of his works bore the signature “BONSEMA CHILTERN”. As well as continuing to photograph landscapes and important buildings, Mr Bonsema was often the official photographer at school and community celebrations. He also sold many framed photographs and postcards from his premises at 68 -70 Conness Street, Chiltern. By 1943 Thomas John Bonsema had relocated to New South Wales and died in Beecroft, NSW on 14th July 1944. Some of his photographs are held in the Victorian State Library and Mitchell Library Sydney Collections.These images are significant because they are the work of a recognised photographer Thomas Bonsema who was born in Wodonga in 1876. The Albury Railway Station was a critical link in transport between Victoria and New South Wales.A black and white image of the platform at Albury StationRailway Station Albury. Bonsema Wodongabonsema photography, thomas peter john bonsema, albury railway station

Steam locomotives operated regularly between Wodonga and Melbourne from the opening of the line in November 1873 until the mid-1950s, hauling both passenger and goods trains. They were critical in opening up the Wodonga district to further development and trade and contributed to the demise of the paddle steamers which plied the Murray River. For many years, the Victorian Railways were one of the key employers in the Wodonga area. Our Collection includes several photographs signed BONSEMA WODONGA or sometimes simply TBW. Thomas Peter John Bonsema was born in Wodonga in 1876 to Peter John Bonsema and Mary Ann nee Nash. His name first appears on the Electoral Roll for Wodonga in 1909 and on the Electoral Roll in 1912 he is listed as a photographer. His photographs capture many scenes and events around Wodonga and surrounding areas. Thomas Bonsema married Minna Louisa Jones in 1912. By 1914 he had moved to Chiltern, Victoria where he established Bonsema’s Photographic Studio. From this time onward many of his works bore the signature “BONSEMA CHILTERN”. As well as continuing to photograph landscapes and important buildings, Mr Bonsema was often the official photographer at school and community celebrations. He also sold many framed photographs and postcards from his premises at 68 -70 Conness Street, Chiltern. By 1943 Thomas John Bonsema had relocated to New South Wales and died in Beecroft, NSW on 14th July 1944. Some of his photographs are held in the Victorian State Library and Mitchell Library Sydney Collections.These images are significant because they are the work of a recognised photographer Thomas Bonsema who was born in Wodonga in 1876. Black and white images of the Melbourne Express locomotive departing Wodonga and passing through Chiltern.1. Melbourne train leaving Wodonga for Albury 2. Melbourne Express Chilternbonsema photography, thomas peter john bonsema, steam locomotives, railways victoria

This fishing rod was donated to the Wodonga Historical Society by Mr. David Brown who is a retired Victorian Railways driver. It was made for him by Mr. Jack Bowden in 1962. Mr. Bowden was the driver of the Southern Aurora when it crashed with a freight train at Violet Town on 7 February 1969. The Sydney – Melbourne passenger train was bound for Melbourne. At about 7.05 a.m. the “Southern Aurora” collided head-on with the Melbourne-Albury goods train near Violet Town. 8 people lost their lives in the crash and 117 were injured. Driver John Bowden had died of cardiac arrest at some time before the collision. The driver of the goods train, Lawrence Rosevear, a good friend and workmate of Jack Bowden had tried to apply the brake when he realised the Aurora was not slowing down, but was unable to stop the impact. Lawrence also died in the crashThis was made by a local train driver who was died in the "Southern Aurora" train tragedy.A hand made fibre-glass fishing rod with wooden handle and agate runnersfishing, fishing equipment, recreational fishing, southern aurora